Are Your Google Business Profiles At Risk? Signs Your GBPs Are At Risk Of Suspension.

Here’s Why You Should Care About The Health Of Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profiles (GBPs) play a critical role in online visibility and customer interaction for businesses – and ultimately your in-store/locationtraffic and sales (read revenue). They are an essential tool for attracting new customers and maintaining a positive online reputation. Losing revenue? Yeah, in fact, we’ve worked with new clients who’ve come to us because they’re losing millions of dollars per month…yes, millions. Google Business Profiles are a big freaking deal, and getting them suspended or lost has big-time consequences.

We hope by now you’re about to ask how you can avoid such a catastrophe. Glad you asked. There are several potential pitfalls that businesses should be aware of to ensure their GBPs are effective and accurately represent their business.

Let’s explore some of the signs your Google Business Profiles are at risk of being suspended (read dropped from the search results) and practical solutions to keep your GBPs in top shape.

Signs and Symptoms Your Google Business Profile Is At Risk Of Suspension

1. Your listing is using an old closed location:

Solution: Ensure that you have the correct, up-to-date location listed. If you are a Service Area Business (SAB), consider using service professionals’ home addresses or dispatch facilities. Alternatively, partner with a retail partner or establish a legitimate office space in each market.

2. Your service business areas are overlapping within 2 hours of each other:

Solution: Space out the service areas for different SABs to have a 2-hour gap between them to avoid overlap.

3. Google is updating your info with the wrong information:

Solution: Use tools like “Squeryl” to actively monitor and correct any incorrect information that Google may update. Stay vigilant and verify the accuracy of the details associated with your GBP.

4. Competitors are changing the information on your GBP:

Solution: Regularly monitor changes made to your GBP and utilize tools like “Squeryl” to track alterations. If you identify false information, take appropriate action to correct it.

5. Google is showing weird photos that you definitely did not submit (e.g., cat picture/pizza):

Solution: Monitor changes to your GBP, particularly images. Identify the source of inappropriate images and flag them for removal or replacement with suitable visuals.

6. Google Maps is not displaying up-to-date data (e.g., extended roads):

Solution: Leverage community edits on Google Maps to provide accurate and updated information about your location, especially if there have been recent changes like road extensions.

7. Your profile uses a bad/invalid primary category:

Solution: Ensure that you have selected the most relevant and accurate primary category for your business to enhance its visibility to the right audience.

While setting up a Google Business Profile may seem like a one-time task, it’s essential to regularly monitor and update your information to avoid potential pitfalls. Your GBP is a crucial representation of your business in the online world, impacting how customers perceive and interact with your brand. Stay proactive in managing and optimizing your GBP to ensure it accurately reflects your business and attracts the right audience.

The Impact of Losing Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a vital asset for any business, serving as a digital storefront in the vast landscape of the internet. Losing access to or control over your GBP can have severe consequences, affecting your online visibility, customer trust, and ultimately, your business’s success (again, read lost revenue). Besides loss of revenue (though let’s be honest, that’s a big freaking deal), let’s delve into the potential effects of losing your GBP.

1. Loss of Online Visibility:

Losing your GBP means your business will no longer appear in local searches on Google Maps and in the local pack listings. This significant loss of visibility can directly impact the number of potential customers discovering your business online.

2. Decreased Credibility and Trust:

A well-maintained GBP lends credibility to your business. When customers search for a product or service, they often rely on the information and reviews provided in the GBP to make informed decisions. Losing this profile can lead to a decline in trust and credibility, potentially driving customers to choose competitors with visible and informative GBPs.

3. Inability to Update Key Business Information:

A GBP allows you to update crucial business details, such as operating hours, contact information, address, and website. Losing access to these updates means potential customers may receive outdated or incorrect information, leading to frustration and missed opportunities.

4. Negative Impact on Local SEO:

GBPs are a significant factor in local search engine optimization (SEO). Losing your GBP can disrupt your local SEO efforts, making it difficult for your business to rank well in local search results. This can result in a decline in organic traffic and potential loss of customers to competitors.

5. Compromised Brand Image:

A GBP is an extension of your brand’s identity. Losing control over this representation can result in misuse or misrepresentation of your brand, potentially harming your brand image and causing confusion among customers.

6. Operational Inefficiencies:

Businesses often use GBPs to communicate important updates, promotions, and events to their audience. Losing this platform can hinder communication and create operational inefficiencies, making it challenging to reach and engage with your target market effectively.

7. Difficulty in Recovery:

Reclaiming a lost GBP or rectifying the situation can be a time-consuming and challenging process. The bureaucratic hurdles and procedures involved in regaining control over your GBP can cause further delays and frustrations, impacting your business operations.

Conclusion:

Losing control over your Google Business Profile is a situation every business should strive to avoid. The consequences range from decreased revenue to loss of online visibility and credibility as well as a negative impact on SEO and brand image. It is crucial to proactively manage and safeguard your GBP to ensure your business thrives in the digital landscape. Regular monitoring, adherence to Google’s guidelines, and employing best practices are essential steps in mitigating the risks associated with thepotential loss of your GBP.